Imprinting device



Sept 5, 1961 J. s. DIGATE 2,998,983

IMPRINTING DEVICE Filed oct. 8, 1957 s sheets-sheet 1 IRR ITI l IIii4 1III! Il! l!It by i! Sept' 5, 1961 J. s. DIGATE 2,998,983

IMPRINTING DEVICE Filed 0st. 8, 195'? 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 rg. 4 r [4 TQ3#M- Uted This invention relates to improvements in an imprinting device,and more particularly to a device highly desirable for use in taking animprint of the plantar surface of the human foot, although it will bereadily understood that the device may equally as well be utilized fortaking a hand print or the like, or perhaps prints of other portions ofthe body, and the device may have other uses and purposes as Will beapparent to one skilled in the art.

More specifically, the instant invention is designed to provide a meansfor taking an accurate imprint of the human foot, or hand, to aid adoctor, chiropodist, or other specialist in properly providing adequateremedies, appliances, or properly fitting articles of footwear, etc.,particularly if the imprint discloses the need of a remedy. Of course,while the device may find its primary use in taking imprints of thehuman foot, it could be used for taking the imprint of a human hand oran imprint of the foot of an animal, and to that extent where the termfoot is used herein, it is to be considered synonymous with hand orother extremity.

ln the past, many and Various types of imprint-taking devices have beendeveloped, lbut in most cases' these devices were of the apparatus typeembodying some form of mechanism to be used with an imprint-receivingcard or the like. Many of these mechanisms could not readily betransported from place to place, and even though they weretransportable, they were bulky enough to be inconvenient and not asquickly usable as is desired. Further, some extraneous means had to beutilized to protect the imprint taken on the card in the event it Wasdesired to file that imprint away for future reference. The danger ofdamaging the imprint was augmented in the event data regarding theimprint and the patient had to be entered upon the card bearing theimprint after the taking of the imprint. Obviously, devices of thischaracter embodying some form of mechanism would be objectionablyexpensive in comparison with the simple form of the instant invention.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instantinvention to provide an imprint assembly comprising merely severalsuperposed flexible sheets and nothing else is needed in order to takean accurate imprint. p

Another feature of the instant invention is the provision of an imprintassembly comprising several superposed sheets fastened together along amargin thereof,

which sheets may themselves 'be used to provide the imprint, and thenthe sheets may be filed away without further protection for anindeiinite period.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of an imprintassembly comprising several superposed sheets, one of which is treatedin a manner to insure a positive clear, and true imprint by virtue ofpressure being urged upon a transfer sheet.

Another feature of the instant invention is the provision of an imprintassembly comprising a base sheet having a slightly tacky surface thatWill readily receive an imprint from a transfer sheet such as pressurecarbon paper, the assembly also including a facing sheet to protect theimprint after it is once made.

Also an object of the instant invention is the simple form ofimprint-taking assembly, comprising several trates Patent sheets insuperposed relationship, one of which is an imprint-receiving sheet,another an imprint protective sheet, and a cover sheet carrying suitabledirective and other indicia thereon, the Whole assembly being readily-iilable as is, and easily carried in the pocket of the operator in theevent the imprint is taken at a remote location from the operatorsoiiice.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a foot imprintassembly which is extremely economical in character and not onlyperfects the imprint, but also protects it after being made, the entireassembly being the particular file and record regarding a particular'patient.

Also an object of the invention is the provision of an imprint assemblycomprising a plurality of paper-like sheets, one of which is of acharacter to receive an imprint from a pressure sensitive carbon paper,and the entire assembly being of suiiicient width to receive the imprintof both feet or of both hands on the one receiving sheet.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a foot imprintingdevice provided with size indicia of such character that it is notnecessary to place the foot in a specific and precise location foracquiring the size thereof, but thev indicia is such that the accuratesize may `be obtained regardless of the association of the foot with abase line throughout a relatively wide range. v

Still another object of the instant invention is the provision of a newand novel method of taking an impression`of an extremity.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics andadvantagesof the instant invention have been above pointed out, others will becomeapparent from the following disclosures, taken in conjunction ywith theaccompanying drawings, in which- FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an imprintassembly embodying principles of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is also a plan view of the assembly with parts broken away toindicate structure thereheneath, the device being in condition prior touse;

FIG. 3 is a view similar in character to FiG. 2, but

showing the device adjusted for the taking of an imprint; r

FIG. 4 is also a top view of the assembly with parts broken away toillustrate the structure thereheneath, after an imprint has been made;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional viewtaken substantially as' indicated by the line V--V of FIG. l; f

FIG. 6 is a top plan View of an imprint assembly embodying principles ofthe instant invention, and of a size to receive impressions of both feetat the same time;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an imprint assembly of slightly differentconstruction, showing the upper two pieces of material broken away toindicate structure therebeneath;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the structure of FIG. 7 illustrating steps andthe result of taking a foot impression, with parts broken away; and

FIG. 9 is a greatly magnified fragmentary View of the surface of one ofthe sheets included in all illustrated embodiments of theinstantinvention.

As shown on the drawings:

The rst illustrated embodiment of this invention'comprises severalpaper-like sheets arranged in superposed f relationship. Looking atFIGS.v 1 and 2, and more particularly FIG. 2, it will be seen thattheassembly includes a base or bottom sheet 1, a protective sheet 2thereover, a transfer sheet 3 which may be in the form of pressurecarbon paper, and a cover sheet 4. These sheets are preferably securedtogether along a margin of the assembly, and in the illustrated instancethat is the top 3 margin with the sheets being held by staples or theequivalent 5, although it will be understood that the marginal portionsof the sheets may be glued together if so desired.

As seen best in FIG. 1, the cover sheet may be provided with directiveand size taking indicia including a base line 6, and a size scale 7,which in the illustrated instance denotes full and half sizes forindicating the size of shoe for the proper foot. A portion of the sizescale 7a is disposed above the base line 6 and increases in number awayfrom the base line, while another portion 7b is disposed below the baseline 6 and also increases in numbers away from the base line. With suchsize indicia, it is not necessary that the foot be positioned upon thecover sheet in a precise location as has been necessary heretofore. Onthe contrary, the rear end of the heel may be positioned approximatelyat the base line 6, and such positioning may vary through a relativelywide range defined by the total length of the scale portions 7a and 7b.`In taking the size of a foot positioned over the scale, the scale isread at the end of the large toe on the portion 7, and at the end of theheel on either portion 7a or 7b as the case may be. If the end of theheel occurs on the portion 7a, the number at the end of the heel issubtracted from the number at the end of the toe on the scale 7 to givethe exact size of the foot; and if the end of the heel is on the scaleportion 7b, the number at the end of the heel is added to the numberappearing at the end of the toe on the scale 7 to give the accuratesize.

Data concerning the particular patient, and if desired the particularimprint taken, may also be readily placed upon the cover sheet or uponthe rear face of the base sheet, as may be desired.

With reference more particularly to FIG. 5, it will be seen that thebase sheet 1 preferably has an imprintreceiving coating 8 thereon, andin the illustrated instance, this coating is natural rubber or theequivalent in a semiuncured state so that it will remain slightly tackyand readily receive an impression from the transfer sheet 3 andeffectively preserve that impression or imprint indenitely. Of course,other suitable coatings may be utilized but an uncured latex has beenfound highly satisfactory.

The protective sheet 2 may also carry a surface coating on its undersideas indicated at 9 in FIG. 5, or it may be a suitably impregnated sheetof a character that is non-adherent to the exposed face of the basesheet 1. This protective sheet may be of paper impregnated with asynthetic rubber fully cured, or a sheet of paper impregnated with orcarrying a thermoplastic film thereon, such as an acetate orpolyethylene film. This protective sheet 2 is also preferably creped toenhance its nonadhering characteristics in relation to the base sheet 1.In the event the sheet has only a one-way creping, that creping runstransversely of the sheet or at right angles to the scale 7. Preferably,a sheet having a two-way crepe is utilized. The utilization of crepedpaper provides a better imprint on the base sheet, because the highpoints only will establish definite contact, except where the creping isflattened by excessive weight bearing of a part of the foot, thusindicating quite plainly whether or not the foot has any defect orafiction. An effort has been made to indicate the double creping effectin FIG. 9 of the drawings.

With reference now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the transfer sheet 3is preferably scored adjacent the secured marginal portion of the sheet,as indicated by the dotted line 10. This is the only sheet so scored,andthe scoring or `line of perforations enables this sheet to be readilyremoved when the assembly is put to use.

In operation, the instant invention is extremely simple and yet affordsa most positive result. Assuming that it is desired to take the imprintof a human foot, the transfer sheet 3 is rst removed by tearing it alongthe line 10, and then this sheet is reinserted between the base sheet 1and the protective sheet 2, as seen in FIG. 3. The patient then placeshis foot on the cover sheet 4 in proper position and the size of thefoot may be determined from the scale 7 and the scale portions 7a and 7band the size recorded on the cover sheet if desired. It is not essentialthat the actual size be marked in figures, because at the start of theoperation, the outline of the foot is preferably traced on the coversheet with a suitable marking implement, as indicated at 11, and thetracing is reproduced on the base sheet 1 by virtue of carbon paper.This tracing of the foot outline occurs simultaneously with the takingof the imprint. With the full weight placed upon the foot, the imprintassembly being on a reasonably smooth surface such as the oor, a plate,a rug, or the like, the transfer sheet marks the coated face of the basesheet 1 to provide a clean and positive imprint as indicated at 12 inFIG. 4 enclosed by the foot outline 11. The normal foot has threebearing points, namely the os calcis, and the first and fifth metatarsalheads as indicated respectively at 13, 14 and 15 where there will be anexpected heavier application of color from the transfer sheet. In theinstance illustrated, however, there is a heavy marking at 16 generallybetween the first and fifth metatarsal heads, which in this particularinstance is indicative of a dropping of the metatarsal or transversearch of the foot, and further indicates the need of a metatarsal archlift for that particular patient. In that manner, other and variousdefects of the foot may at once be apparent from the imprint. Forexample, there will not be a narrowing of the imprint beneath thelongitudinal arch of the foot in case of a fiatfoot condition. Therewill be an extended imprint laterally of a part of the foot in the caseof a bunion or the like. Consequently, from the imprint taken thespecialist can decide upon the proper course of treatment or upon thetype of footwear that should be worn, if the foot is not normal.

After the taking of the imprint 12, the carbon paper or transfer sheet 3is removed and discarded. This leaves 4the base sheet with the imprint,the protective sheet 2 thereover, and the cover sheet 4 which carriesthe essential indicia concerning the patient, etc. This three-sheetassembly can therefore be easily filed for an indefinite period of timewithout injuring the imprint. Since each sheet of the assembly may be ofthe general thickness of an ordinary sheet of paper, the assemblyrequires very little room, may be folded or rolled as desired, and isreadily transportable in the event an imprint is to be taken at a remotelocation. It will be especially noted that no other apparatus need beernployed than is provided in the imprint assembly, and the entireassembly is extremely economical both as to original cost and by virtueof its space-saving character.

In FIG. 6, I have illustrated a foot imprinting assembly capable oftaking imprints of both feet at the same time. This assembly comprisesthe same set of sheets as described above in connection with FIGS. l to5 inclusive, except the sheets are of sufficient width to accommodateboth feet. In this instance, therefore, the cover sheet designated bynumeral 17, is provided with two sets of size scales i18 and 19, eachhaving lower scale portions 18a and 18b, and 19a and 19b on therespective sides 0f the lbase line 20. With the wider sheets, it ispreferable to staple the sheets together or otherwise secure themtogether `along a side margin as indicated at 21.

With the particular type of size scales used in the present invention,it is a simple expedient to determine the sizes of both feet, whereas itwould be an extremely difficult operation to precisely position bothfeet on a chart at the same time. Outlines of the feet arediagrammatically illustrated at 22 and 23, and it will be noted that therear of the heel on the outline 22 is above the base line 20, while therear of the heel on the outline 23 is below the base line. Consequently,the reading on the scale portion 18a for the left foot would besubtracted from the reading on the scale 18 to determine the correctSize of shoe, while the reading on the scale V19b for the right footwould be added to the reading on the scale 19.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, I have shown a slightly different form of theinvention, this form also being of a proper size to make imprints onboth feet at the same time. In this arrangement, the same general sheetsas above described are utilized, including the cover sheet 17, a sheetof pressure carbon paper 24, a protective facing sheet 25, and the baseor imprint-receiving sheet 26. The sheets are preferably securedtogether along a side margin thereof, and if staples are used asindicated at 21, entire sheets may be removed, or if glue is utilized,both the cover sheet 17 and the pressure carbon sheet 24 are providedwith a line of perforations as indicated at 27 in this particulararrangement.

The size scale printing is not carried bfy the cover sheet, but isapplied directly on the outer face of the creped facing or protectivesheet 25. This sheet is provided with a pair of size scales 28, eachhaving lower portions 28a and 28h on the opposite sides of a base line29. These scales function in the same manner as the size scaleskpreviously described herein.

In the use of this form of the invention, both the cover sheet 17 andthe carbon sheet 24 are removable from the assembly. The cover sheet isthen discarded while the carbon sheet is inserted between the protectivesheet 25 and the base sheet 26 as seen in FIG. 8. Then the outline ofeach foot is drawn directly upon the protective sheet 25 as indicated at30 in FIG. 8 for the left foot, and the imprint or tracing of the footwill appear upon the base sheet 26, as indicated at 31 in the samefigure, for the right foot along with the foot impression 32.

By way of example, in this instance, I have illustrated a footimpression 32 which plainly shows the three proper bearing points of anormal foot, as well as the toe contact, but this impression alsodenotes a heavy marking at 33 indicating a fallen metatarsal arch orcallosity, and the general shape of the print 32 indicates that theinner longitudinal arch of the foot has fallen to some vextent and needsco1rection. Comparing the print of FIG. 8 with that of PIG. 4, it willbe seen that there is no decided arch on the inside of the print, whichclearly indicates a degree of flatfoot.

Any data concerning the particular patient may be written directly uponthe protective sheet 25, and after the disposition of the carbon sheet24, the two sheets 25 and 26 are filed away to preserve therecord forthat particular patient.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A foot imprinting assembly, comprising superposed sheets of flexiblematerial including a base sheet having an upper surface of uncuredlatex, a protective sheet thereover, a cover sheet above said protectivesheet, and a removable carbon sheet above said protective sheet forinsertion between said base sheet and said protective sheet when animprint is taken.

2. A foot imprinting assembly, comprising a base sheet surfaced with aslightly tacky imprint receiving material, a protective sheet thereoverhaving a surface of release material, a transfer sheet over saidprotective sheet mounted for removal and insertion between saidprotective and base sheets rwhen an imprint is taken, and a cover sheet.v

3. A foot imprinting assembly, comprising a base sheet surfaced with aslightly tacky imprint receiving material, a protective sheet thereoverhaving a surface of release material, a transfer sheet over saidprotective sheet mounted for removal and insertion between saidprotective and base sheets when an imprint is taken, and a cover sheet,said sheets being secured together along a margin of the assembly, saidtransfer sheet being perforated adjacent said margin to permit readyremoval thereof.

4. A foot imprinting assembly comprising a cover sheet, a bottom sheetwith a tacky material on the upper surface thereof, a protective sheethaving a release surface positioned in non-adherentrelationship on saidbottom sheet and a sheet of pressure canbon paper positioned betweensaid cover sheet and said protective sheet and adapted to be removedfrom its said position between said cover sheet and said protectivesheet and inserted -between the protective sheet and the bottom sheetwhereby a foot may be placed on said cover sheet to form an impressionfor study and reference on said bottom sheet by transfer of materialfrom said pressure carbon sheet to said tacky material on said bottomsheet, said protective sheet having measuring indicia thereon to assistin the interpretation of the impression.

5. A foot imprinting assembly comprising from top to bottom a coversheet, a sheet of pressure carbon paper, a protective sheet having arelease surface facing downwardly, and a bottom sheet having an upperface of slightly tacky material, said carbon paper sheet being scoredfor ready removal and insertion between said protective sheet and saidbottom sheet whereby a foot may be placed on the cover sheet to transfermaterial from the carbon sheet to the tacky material on the bottom sheetto form a record of the foot characteristics for study and reference.

6. An imprinting assembly including a bottom sheet having an uppersurface of adherent material to receive an imprint from a pressurecarbon paper placed thereover and a protective sheet having a releaseunder surface normally overlying said adherent surface of said bottomsheet in non-adherent contact therewith to permit ready insertion of acarbon paper between the protective sheet and the bottom sheet andtransfer of a foot impression or the like through the protective sheetto the bottom sheet so that the bottom sheet may receive carbon materialin permanent record form, and the protective sheet may preserve therecord after use of a carbon paper without danger of transfer ofadherent or carbon materials thereto.

7. An imprinting assembly including a bottom sheet having an adherentupper surface to receive an imprint from a pressure carbon sheet placedthereover, and a protective sheet having a release undersurface'normally contacting said bottom sheet and the adherent surfacethereof in non-adherent relationship so that the bottom sheet may bereadily used for receiving an imprint from a carbon sheet and may retainthe imprint without destruction by engagement of the protective sheettherewith, said protective sheet being creped so that the downwardlyprotruding points thereof will establish definite contact with a carbonpaper and the bottom sheet to indicate a normal foot weight, and so thatthe creping will be iiattened by eXcessive-Weight-bearing portions ofthe foot to form a continuous transfer indicating a defect or afflictionin the foot.

8. An imprinting assembly including a bottornsheet having an adherentupper surface to receive an imprint from a pressure carbon sheet placedthereover, and a protective sheet having a release under surfacenormally contacting said bottom sheet and the adherent surface thereofin non-adherent relationship so that the bottom sheet may be readilyused for receiving an imprint from a carbon sheet and may retain theimprint without destruction by engagement of the protective sheettherewith, said protective sheet being creped so that the downwardlyprotruding points thereof will establish definite contact with a carbonpaper and the bottom sheet to indicate a normal foot weight, and so thatthe creping will be flattened by eXccssive-weight-bearing portions ofthe foot to form a continuous transfer indicating a defect or afflictionin the foot, said creping being in two directions for effective visualcontrast in indicating a normal foot condition and for goodweight-supporting characteristics.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 680,637Brown Aug. 13, 1901 902,167 Phillips Oct. 27, 1908 1,225,500 Rosino May8, 1917 1,575,230 Schmitt 'Man 2, 1926

